Bhutan Prime Minister Lotay Tshering will arrive in India on 27 December on his first foreign visit after taking charge in the Himalayan nation last month, it is learnt.
This is in keeping with Bhutan’s tradition of a new PM choosing India as his first port of call after assuming office.
The visit is considered significant, given the emphasis being laid by New Delhi on ties with neighbouring countries as part of the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. Maldives new President Mohamed Ibrahim Solih was in India earlier this week on his maiden overseas visit since assuming charge.
Tshering took charge as the eighth Prime Minister of Bhutan on 7 November. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called him to congratulate him on his victory. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale was the first top Indian official to visit Bhutan to meet Tshering and extend him an invitation to visit India.
During the meet, Tshering had told Gokhale that he was committed to strengthening the special bond of friendship and cooperation shared by the two countries. “Our foreign policy should not change every five years with the change in government,” he had stated.
The Bhutan PM’s visit comes amid friendly overtures being made by China towards the Himalayan country. Bhutan had solidly backed India during last year’s military stand-off between India and Chinese troops at Doklam.
The Bhutan PM’s visit will provide the two countries an opportunity to discuss the budget for Bhutan’s 12th five-year plan and India’s assistance in the plan. India plays a key role in Bhutan’s development in the economic and social areas. During Tshering’s visit, the two PMs’ could also jointly commission the flagship 750-MW Mangdechuu hydropower project, which is being built with Indian assistance as part of the growing energy cooperation.
Tshering visit could be followed by PM Modi’s visit to Bhutan early next year.